The C-peptide lab test can tell the doctor if the patient is still producing insulin, if the beta cells in the pancreas are still working and not burned out. Normally, they say type 1 diabetics don't produce insulin anymore and type 2s do - though this generalization has many exceptions. And this is the problem. Some type 1s
may still produce insulin though erratically and some type 2s may be burning out their beta cells over time creating difficulty to control the blood sugar. Some doctors think this second type of type 2 is turning into type 1 and this transitional phase is called LADA, but not all professionals recognize LADA as a type.
Of course, the bottom line is blood sugar control no matter what we're called. Both (or all!) types benefit from the same type of diet and exercise. Those on meds, no matter what meds, and those who aren't on meds (like me.....so far 
) benefit from a healthy low-carb eating plan which is proven to work. Exercise, both cardio and resistance training (weights, e.g.) help use up excess blood sugar but not everyone can do all this for various reasons.
Monitoring our blood sugar is so important, then, for correct medication dosage and seeing if there are upward trends.
